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francis.howes
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2009
12:03:46
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 Subject: Solid axel swap?
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what are the easiest options for solid axle swaps? I have a 2000 dak ext cab 4x4. I ave heard of guys yanking axles from broncos and such. I realize that thisis a major undertakng to do. Just wondering if i were to go this route what is the best way to go about it for an axle choice, coil over or leaf and what to do about steering. Also gearing options? to run 35 x 12.5s what would be my best choice of a ratio. One last thing to run them comfortablely how high are we talking of lifting the truck?
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super bee
GenI
3/17/2009
11:02:02
|  RE: Solid axel swap?
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as far as gearing goes
my little brother has an 2000 1500 with 35s and he put 4.56 gears in it
more power than it had with the stock 31s and 3.55s
easily smokes the tires
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) Powertrax "traction system", 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
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SxtJDK03
GenIII
3/17/2009
14:27:03
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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I have a dana 44 from a 78 bronco. The only thing I regret is I should have gone with an axle that doesn't have the radius arm triangle things on it. I would have much rather had just regular axle tubes instead. But it works. I guess if you do like some and use stock or extended radius arms from a bronco then its fine, but I made my own 3 link. As far as steering goes Im not sure what the cutoff is but i know around 2001 or so they switched to rack and pinion, so being that I have a 2003 I had to get a old ford power steering box and just put that in.
Wheel 'til it breaks!
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HIX
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2009
10:12:33
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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FYI... Only the 78-79 ford d44 HP RC front end had the c wedges cast into the acle housing. The 76-77 Ford D44 HP RC had disc brakes and the c wedges welded on.
The best way to do a SAS on most any truck, IMHO, is the ford radius arm suspension anyway. I have done the swap on Pathfinders, 4runners, broncos, explorers. It's easy to locate/adjust the axle, castor, you don't have to worry about the leafs being in the way of the steering links.
The best part is if you can weld you can get the whole thing done for less than 800 bux including the James Duff Progressive front coils and custom steering links. I picked up the front half of a 79 bronco frame including the axle, steering and all of the suspension links for 200 bucks to get ready for the swap when my front end started clunking again on my 01 QuadCab 2 years after dumping 1500 into the front end for a new Rack, shaft, bushings, ball joints, rod ends. The sad part is the truck will actually ride better with the SAS than it does stock. I am just waiting for it to get worse so I can break it to the wife that I am going to tear apart another truck.
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TEX
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2010
14:41:38
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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I have an 88 dakota and did all the research possible for the solid axle swap.Im using a HP Dana 30 and trim all the shock mounts and control arm mounts off of the axle tubes from a Jeep Cherokee and all the steering components for the Y link set up and a pitman arm from a grand cherokee which gives you a 1 inch drop from the gear box.you just have to shave the alignment tooth from the arm.As long as you do a leaf under the axle you dont have to worry about modifying the tierod system.If your looking for more lift then do a leaf over axle setup just keep in mind that there might be steering component issues.If my measurements are correct im going to use the rear leafs from another 88 Dakota which I will have to relocate the front crossmember all the way to the front of the frame and level with the frame just behind the bend of the frame just under the cab and use 1/2 inch shackles on the rear which will set my tires directly in the middle of the wheelwell.You will have to engineer some mounting brackets for the leaf eyelits on the rear.I figured that the leafs are strong enough for a truck load of sandbags that they will be strong for extreme wheeling and give me the flex that Im looking for.For the shocks Im going to install shock hoops that you can get at all 4X4 shops so that I can run heavy duty extreme shocks.You wont be able to install this until after you get the axle and all bolted in to see and measure the ride hidth and measure the articulations and to align the shocks to the mounts on the axle.You will need these measurements to order your shocks.im also going to use limiting straps to ensure Im not going to max out my shocks.You will also have to modify or take out the sway bar cross member to to allow the up and down movement of the front driveshaft.Im using a front driveshaft out of a full size dodge ram.Im taking that member out and making frame ties for strength.Doing all of this if Im correct will give me anywhere from 6 to 8 inches of lift in the front.Which brings me to the rear.you will have to do a shackle flip with 1/2 inch shackles on the rear.I have fabricated some flip brackets to make this easier and stronger than the stock setup.You may have to use a small block lift to make up for the difference but i DO NOT RECOMMEND anything more than a 3 inch blocks due to axle roll under extreme conditions.Or better yet just getting some lift leaf springs.Doing the shackle flip will also set your rear yoke up and there shouldnt be any adjustment needed there.Eventually im going to go to a Dana 44 front and rear axle out of a Wagoneer.Im still getting everything together and figuring out new ways to do this and will keep you informed.If you have any questions you can reach me at STREETROD_1965@yahoo.com.Name is TEX.also if ya have any better ideas.
PARTS LIST.......
1 HP Dana 30 from cheerokee and steering components from Gr cheerokee
2 leaf spring eyelits
2 rear dakota leaf springs
1 set of shock hoops
front shocks
rear shocks
2 pairs of 1/2 in. shackles
2 axle perches
1 set of limiting straps
front driveshaft from a Ram
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2010
12:13:15
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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I need a stock front driveshaft for my 95' Dakota 4x4,could I use one out of a cherokee?
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TEX
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2010
10:44:33
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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Im not sure,it might be too long.All dakotas from 86 - 96 have the same frames and suspension system and drivetrain.Although it might work cause there is no movement of the front diff.Its worth a shot.All it takes is to measure it.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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2/09/2010
15:35:42
|  RE: Solid axel swap?
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I understand that an IFS does have drawbacks when rock crawling,but what about mild conditions? I like my Dakota the way it is. But If I need something awsome that has a solid front axel then I'll go with the Power Ram. I don't think Dodge uses Dana's any more. I remember when the OFF-Road package came out back in 2000 for the Ram, it was one of the best ever. As a matter of fact you could still get a NV-3500HD transmission but it only came with a 318 Magnum engine. But I still would buy one.
Cheers
STS
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TEX
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2010
10:25:18
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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Yes it does have its draw backs.the weakest link are the CV shafts and the lower control arm mounts on the front crossmember which is weak itself also.i love my 88 and it has never let me down yet.all i did was a 2 inch body lift and cranked my tortion bars which made my ride alittle rough.which allowed me to put 31's on it.looks really good.but the answer to your question,i wouldnt test it on the rocks.the original components are weak and will more than likely break.i take mine down some very aggressive trails but very very very slowly to prevent stress on curtain components.thats the reason why im doin a SAS swap.but i have ventured away from the leaf spring setup and using all the suspension,steering,front and rear diff and also took the front and rear driveline for the custom drivelines i have to have made.its all coming out of a 1979 ford f150/bronco.its an easy conversion and very very strong setup.plus itll give me atleast 6 to 8 inches of lift,be easier to do engine work and exaust.just plain out more clearance which its all about.GOOD LUCK
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2010
11:52:05
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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I did it,put 31x10.5x15 Wrangler MT on my stock 95' Dakota 4x4...no rubbing.Still got good V8 power.
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02dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2010
15:55:48
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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SxtJDK03
What did you need to do to keep the stock 6 lug bolt pattern with the solid axle?
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2010
08:06:06
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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So I got my 31x10.5x15 Wrangler MT's on my 95' Dakota 4x4 V8,now I need to focus on bearings/seals for the T-Case and found a front driveshaft out of a 97' and I'll need the drivers side axle shaft/bearing/boot replaced.Eventually I hope to have my 4x4 working!!
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2010
23:06:27
| RE: Solid axel swap?
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I have a 98 Dak and swapped a Dana 44 reverse rotation from a 79 F-250. It has a radius arm suspension. I also took the rear Dana 60 and swapped it in too. I'm running 37" tires with 5.13 gears. I have only 5.5" of lift. I had to move the front axle forward 2" and cut out the rear wheel wells a little to clear the tires. It still fits into my garage with 7' doors.
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